The city will look at replacing its much-maligned downtown security cameras during budget deliberations later this month.
Last night, city council gave the green light to consider spending up to $150,000 on a new camera system when budget talks begin later this month.
The move was spearheaded by Mayor Steve Clarke, who is also chair of the Police Services Board (PSB).
He said the current CCTV system - which was approved in 2013 at a cost of $120,000 - needs to be replaced and upgraded.
“The system has continued to deteriorate over the last few years with reliability and just with mechanical ability of the system,” noted Clarke.
He said the system relies on ‘line of sight’ technology and noted emerging buildings such as Matchedash Lofts will render parts of the system obsolete.
He said in its early years, the system “brought much benefit to the city in terms of being able to solve some cases, post-incident.”
However, he recognized the system has been plagued with issues. “I will also say that particular system probably should have been installed in a slightly more wholesome manner,” said Clarke.
“Quite frankly, the system that is in play right now needs to be decommissioned,” said the mayor. “It has very limited usefulness and I’ll put an exclamation point on that right now.”
Clarke said he and other PSB officials are investigating possible replacement systems. He said local OPP officials have been involved and will help determine potential sites for the new cameras and provide input on the technology.
He also said he learned recently of a new system being used in Halton region. It’s called a SCRAM system, which stands for security cameras and mapping.
“It’s purely police driven,” said Clarke, noting the alternative system relies on using cameras installed by private businesses and residences.
Essentially, the OPP encourages others to install cameras, maintains a database of cameras and then asks to see footage as required.
“It has met with wonderful success in Halton Region,” said Clarke.
He said between now and budget, more research will be conducted so that more information about alternatives is available.
Whatever approach is ultimately chosen, the mayor said he believes some sort of system is necessary.
“When I first came to council five years ago, I wasn’t really a big fan of having cameras in the city,” said Clarke.
After sitting on the PSB for five years, “I now believe there is significant benefit, both in terms of a deterrent and post-incident” that make them necessary.
Depending on the route chosen during budget talks, the city would likely issue a request for proposal for a new system. The maximum capital budget is expected to be $150,000.
The annual operating costs of the system is about $20,000. There are also hydro costs associated with the cameras.
The idea of replacing the cameras was widely supported by council.
Coun. Pat Hehn noted the system “never worked properly” while Coun. Mason Ainsworth summed things up by saying: “It’s pretty clear we do need to do something.”
